Photo – Courtesy DSM
As the 2016 ARCA Racing Series champs, Cunningham Motorsports has a lot to celebrate at the Series banquet later this evening. But, they certainly aren’t resting on their laurels…they are looking forward to next season, when they plan to contend for back to back championships.
The first order of business at the press conference, held in conjunction with the annual PRI show, was Jeff Clark, speaking on behalf of Ford Performance, announced that the Cunningham organization has been designated as a driver development partner with Ford Performance.
In making the announcement, Clark, who is Vice President of Sales for Roush Yates Engines, stated, “Ford Performance recognizes the championship caliber teams that Cunningham Motorsports delivers on track. Ford Performance has designated Cunningham Motorsports as a driver development partner for 2017 and will support their teams with assets within the Ford Performance Technical Center in Concord, NC. We look forward to another strong year in the ARCA Racing Series.”
As the next piece of the 2017 puzzle, Cunningham Motorsports co-owner, Kerry Scherer announced that Dalton Sargeant has signed to pilot the No. 77 for the 2016 ARCA Racing Series champions.
In making his announcement, Scherer said, “We are so excited, here at Cunningham Motorsports, to welcome Dalton to our organization. Working together, we should be able to capitalize on his top finishes this season, along with our championship team.”
The ARCA Racing Series 2016 Rookie of the Year, Sargeant competed in 15 races during the season with one victory, ten top-five finishes and 12 top-ten finishes. The 18 year old’s checkered flag came at the 0.4-mile Berlin Speedway in Marne, Michigan. In addition to the ‘W’, Sargeant’s 5.47 average finish included second place finishes at Toledo Speedway, Winchester Speedway and Kentucky Speedway.
As the next driver of the No. 77 Ford, Sargeant commented, “I couldn’t be more excited to join Cunningham Motorsports, Ford Performance and the No. 77 team as we battle for the 2017 ARCA Racing Series championship. I’m really looking forward to working with Chad Bryant, Paul Andrews and the entire Cunningham Motorsports team.”
Throughout 2016 Dalton also competed in select late model events. In addition, the 18 year old from Boca Raton, Florida, who is a member of the 2015 NASCAR NEXT class, competed in three NASCAR Camping World Truck races in 2015…with a career best finish of ninth at Bristol Motor Speedway. In addition, Dalton grabbed the checkered flag in the first NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race of 2015 at Kern County Speedway and made his NASCAR K&N Pro Series East debut at New Smyrna Speedway with a second place finish.
Sargeant continued his comments, saying, “Coming off a championship season, they obviously have very high expectations going into 2017 and so do I. In the past, I’ve come so close to winning races. I feel like the package Cunningham brings to the track and the people they have within their organization, will put me in a situation to contend for the ARCA Racing Series championship. To say the least, I can’t wait to get started with the No. 77 group and head to Daytona for testing.”
The Cunningham organization celebrated their 2016 ARCA Series championship last week…as the final piece of the 2016 season fell into place. The Series banquet took place Friday evening at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis, where the No. 77 Big Tine team earned many honors after finishing the season with six victories, six poles, 14 top-five finishes and 18 top-ten finishes.